Following weeks of auditions in Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and London, round one of the X-Factor finally came to a close this weekend. Bootcamp, here we come!
Despite previous concerns over the X-Factor viewing ratings, it looks like Simon Cowell’s reality franchise is still going strong. There may have been a lot of hype on the run-up to the third series of Downton Abbey which returned to the small screen last night, but the X-Factor proved to be the more popular show, attracting nearly 10 million viewers (Downton received an average of 9 million viewers).
So who made the final cut?
Single mum Jade Ellis from Greenwich revealed that she had given up her singing career after becoming pregnant when she was 19. Arriving at the London auditions with her adorable six-year-old daughter, Cayden, the X-Factor wannabe explained that she lived in a tower block and wished for a better life for her little girl.
There was something instantly charming and extremely likeable about her character. The fresh-faced 25-year-old (who looked like a younger Beyoncé) delivered a sensational rendition of Maverick Sabre’s Something Good. There was a lovely warmth to her voice that reminded me of Corinne Bailey Rae. Jade really made the song sound like it was written especially for her. A passionate and soulful performance - Watch this space!
Jade Ellis wowed the judges with a powerful rendition of Maverick Sabre's Something Good
I don’t know who I loved more Tammy Cartwright or her Nan, Mad May, who was brought along for some moral support. May hit the nail on the head when she said that her granddaughter was “bloody brilliant."Tammy, a 33-year-old social worker, managed to get the crowd up on their feet, while working the stage like a diva. Initially, I found her performance of Jennifer Hudson’s hit One Night Only to have a cabaret/karaoke sound to it. However, as the song progressed, Tammy’s true potential shone through allowing her to showcase her varied vocal range.
She hit some very impressive killer notes, while proving that she was born to sing. You go girl!
Bianca Gascoigne delivered a mediocre performance of Mary J. Blige’s I’m Goin’ Down
I wasn’t sure whether to cringe or feel a bit of sympathy for Bianca Gascoigne when she took to the stage to sing Mary J. Blige’s I’m Goin’ Down. Following her brief romance with Callum Best on reality TV show Love Island back in 2006 and her front page appearances on nearly every lad’s mag out there, footballer Paul Gascoigne’s daughter really had her work cut out to prove that she wasn’t a limelight worshipper. Yeah she’s a pretty girl (she kind of looks like Abbey Clancy if you squint), but her voice was mediocre. I respected her not-so-typical song choice and her attempted popstar –looking outfit, but her vocals were bland and off-key for the best part of the song.
Somehow I don’t think the panel’s decision to not let the glamour model through to bootcamp will prevent Bianca from trying to release a single anyway. What did you make of her performance?
The star of last night’s show was Carolynne Poole who wowed the judges with her heartfelt rendition of Emeli Sande’s track Clown. Last year, Louis sent the 31-year-old hopeful home following the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition. I was not only extremely impressed by Carolynne’s determination and positive attitude, but I thought it was admirable that she took responsibility over last year’s antics instead of pointing the finger at her former mentor.
Speaking about last year's X-Factor stint, she said: : "I don’t think Louis thought I was a star, I was heartbroken. Looking back now though, I know that last year I was a blank, there was nothing behind my eyes. I was just like shut off.'
Carolynne continued: "Last year, myself and my husband had been through IVF and it had failed, then my marriage was in tatters. I had lost him and I had lost the hope of a family and I had lost the hope of a career singing."
While Louis admitted that there was previously “something missing” from her first attempt at X-Factor stardom, she certainly brought her A-game this time round. Every single word of her audition was filled with passion. It was if she had locked all of her pain and hurt inside and released her emotions in the song. The look of relief yet sadness in her eyes when she finished her audition made the impact of her stunning performance more powerful. I am so glad that Carolynne got back on that horse and returned to the show. I totally agree with Gary when he said that she is the "dark horse" of the competition. I wish her all the best!
Carolynne Poole returned to the X-Factor
As for the men in this weekend’s double bill, it was Robbie Hance who stole the show. The homeless singer, who had a resemblance to Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, sang a sensational version of Damien Rice’s Coconut Skins. Robbie explained that he has been living rough for the last six years, while also explaining that he was put into care at the age of 13 as his single mother, who worked three jobs, struggled to cope.
Before taking to the stage, he told the judges: "I have always sung, I don’t think there is anything else in my life that I do with such passion. This competition is obviously a big thing, it could add the element of security, it could change my life, definitely."
Robbie captivated me with his soulful voice. It was crystal clear that music moves him and is a large part of his seemingly lonely lifestyle. It was a remarkable and touching performance. I really do hope Robbie Hance is found, as his current whereabouts are unknown.
The search is currently on to track down Robbie Hance
At long last bootcamp is less than a week away (which mean Christmas is only around the corner!).
Who do you hope makes it to the judges' houses?
Laura Delaney
